COMMUNITY FORUM

2 inch gap between rafters and chimney?

I am adding a two- story addition to my two-story house. The addition surrounds the chimney so, according to code, I’m leaving a 2 inch gap between the chimney and any framing abutting chimney. However, if I follow this 2-inch rule for the rafters, on what do I rest the top of those rafters (normally resting on the ridge beam) that abut the side of the chimney? I have a frame wall surrounding the chimney on the living levels and suppose I could extend that wall up to support the would abut the side of the chimney but that does not seem as if it would provide enough lateral support?